This site is a sort of museum in cyberspace full of odds and ends about life in Budleigh Salterton.
It celebrates among other things the connection between our corner of East Devon - birthplace of both Sir Walter Raleigh and Roger Conant, founder of Salem, Massachusetts - and the United States of America.
The site was inspired by the friendship link established in 2001 with the Cape Cod community of Brewster.

Wednesday, 11 September 2013

Most of the volunteer helpers at Fairlynch live in the
immediate area of Budleigh Salterton. Brian’s loyalty to the Museum was
demonstrated by his tireless devotion to the Local History Group and his
willingness to attend Trustees’ meetings, despite having
to travel from Dunkeswell, near Honiton. It meant making a round trip of 44
miles on a regular basis for ten years.

Brian began his education at SouthvillePrimary School
in Feltham, Middlesex. He took his 11-plus and, after achieving a remarkable
98% in Maths, he won a place at HamptonGrammar School. After a
promising start he ‘left at the Headmaster's Pleasure’ at fifteen to join the
RAF as an Apprentice Tradesman.

Brian Pepperrell's RAF experience included working on aircraft like this Valiant V bomber

Photo credit: Adrian Pingstone

After successfully completing his training as a Electronics,
Instruments and Radar Technician at RAF Locking, Weston-super-Mare, Brian was
posted to 90 Sqn. RAF Honington in Suffolk working on Valiant bombers, and
later to Boscombe Down. He eventually left the RAF and began working at ICL in Reading and Putney as a
Computer Engineer. This was followed some years later with a move to BAA at
Heathrow as, initially, a Security Officer on the High Altitude bomb detection
facility followed by the role of Traffic Control for the Local Emergency
Management Agency (LEMA) which he held until retirement. During this time he
was also made a Freeman of the City of London.

Following retirement Brian took the opportunity to approach
the volunteer service. He was sent to help at FairlynchMuseum
where he joined the Local History Group, performing research for people who
approached the Museum for help with genealogy questions. Henriette
Feltham, a member of the Local History Group for seven years, remembered his
very good eye for detail. “His computer skills were of great use in the
laborious task of filing into an easily accessible system the ‘stock’ of items
of local historical interest in Fairlynch's possession.”

Fascinated by history, Brian set out to research the origins
of one particular photograph unearthed by the Museum. The little open fishing
boat in the picture eventually proved to be the vessel used by the Savident
family to make their daring escape from the Channel
Islands prior to the German occupation of 1940 during World War
Two. Asked to make a formal presentation of his discoveries to the family he
was surprised to discover the family member stepping forward to receive it was
none other than John Savident – the future actor, best known as the cheerful
butcher Fred Elliott in Coronation
Street - had been born on Guernsey
in 1938.

Brian’s other major ‘hobby’ was the Freemasons where he held
both London Grand Rank and was the Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler, Order of the
Secret Monitor (Province of Devonshire).

“He was certainly a committed
and able Freemason,” noted Lt Cdr Angus Hannagan, Deputy Grand Secretary.“It
was indeed a big part of his life and he will be missed by the many Orders of
Freemasonry in which he made a significant contribution.” His funeral at
Whimple was attended by over 40 senior figures from various Masonic Orders,
with both London and the Channel
Islands represented.

Brian’s commitment to Fairlynch
was steadfast in spite of the ongoing illness which he endured. “He was
researching for our 2014 World War One exhibition right up until the end,”
recalled his colleague and fellow-Trustee Margaret Brett.“His steady manner, as the deadline for
Easter openings fast approached, will be much missed, as will his ability to
ferret out that extra piece of information. He turned his hand willingly to all
aspects of the work including display, computing, repackaging artefacts and, of
course, his main interest, research.”

About Me

Born in 1946, in Birmingham UK, of Scottish-Irish parentage, and brought up as a Roman Catholic. Early education may have driven me into teaching, in the belief that schools should offer a more enjoyable experience for children. Studied French at London University, specialising in 16th century literature. Then came 34 years of teaching French, along with red herrings and common sense, at Oundle School, Northamptonshire. Published articles in Etudes Rabelaisiennes, (a long time ago), and a couple of books - one big 'Oundle's War' (1995) - and one small 'The Scientist in The Cottage' (2013) - a biography of Henry Carter FRS (1813-95). Dabbles, and some people say meddles, in many areas. A passionate gardener, moved to Devon partly to grow ericaceous plants more easily. Other interests include family, cycling, walking, photography, reading, music, studying butterflies, chopping wood, DIY, playing on the scaffold tower, and networking for the Greater Good. Married to Anthea for over 40 years. Three children: Emily, Simeon and Rosanna, three granddaughters and two Bengal cats. Like an increasing number of my friends of my generation, I'm a cancer survivor – I hope!